Console

PlayStation 4: Sony to Focus First on U.S. Market for PS4, Will Release Console in Japan by January

Sony, Corp. (NYSE: SNE, 6758: T) will release its PlayStation 4 video game console in Japan by February 2014, or three months after its November 15 release date in North America. According to the company, this is pursuant to avoiding supply constraints that had, for some time, trammeled sales of the previous PlayStation iteration, the PlayStation 3.

According to Sony’s Andrew House, this release schedule will allow Sony to focus first on its largest market in time for the holiday shopping season. Exact release dates are November 15 in North America, November 29 in Europe and February 22, 2014 in Japan, with the “PS4” arriving in a total of 32 countries in 2013.

The PS4 will be priced in the United States at $399, and is considered an important consumer electronics device for Sony Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai, as he hopes to gain leverage against competitors like Microsoft, Corp.(NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nintendo, Co. (PINK: NTDOY, 7974: T). The PS3 had sold less than 50 percent of early analyst forecasts due to parts shortages hindering production following its initial debut in November 2006.

Speaking about what had happened with the PS3 and its predecessor, the PlayStation 2, House said that Sony had a “tough experience of supply not meeting demand” during that time. “This time, we want to avoid that happening again. We want to launch it when we can meet the volume,” he added.